Events

October 22, 2020
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM (GMT+2)
12:00 PM -1:00 PM (GMT-4)

Join us online for our third annual "Frankfurt in Paris" book talk inspired by American Resistance: From the Women’s March to the Blue Wave by Dana R. Fisher.

This live virtual conversation between authors Dana R. Fisher and Joseph O’Neill will focus on the upcoming U.S. elections and will examine the influence of growing grassroots resistance movements on American politics. The talk will be moderated by Eric Schwartz, editorial director at Columbia University Press.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Since Donald Trump’s first day in office, a large and energetic grassroots “Resistance” has taken to the streets to protest his administration’s plans for the United States. Millions marched in pussy hats on the day after the inauguration; outraged citizens flocked to airports to declare that America must be open to immigrants; masses of demonstrators circled the White House to demand action on climate change; and that was only the beginning. Who are the millions of people marching against the Trump administration, how are they connected to the Blue Wave that washed over the U.S. Congress in 2018—and what does it all mean for the future of American democracy?

American Resistance traces activists from the streets back to the communities and congressional districts around the country where they live, work, and vote. Using innovative survey data and interviews with key players, Dana R. Fisher analyzes how Resistance groups have channeled outrage into activism, using distributed organizing to make activism possible by anyone from anywhere, whenever and wherever it is needed most. Beginning with the first Women’s March and following the movement through the 2018 midterms, Fisher demonstrates how the energy and enthusiasm of the Resistance paid off in a wave of Democratic victories. She reveals how the Left rebounded from the devastating 2016 election, the lessons for turning grassroots passion into electoral gains, and what comes next. American Resistance explains the organizing that is revitalizing democracy to counter Trump’s presidency.

THE SPEAKERS

Dana R. Fisher is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Maryland.  Her research explores democracy, civic participation, activism and environmental policymaking.  She has written extensively on activism and protest. American Resistance is her sixth book.

Joseph O’Neill teaches at Bard and is the author of six books, including the novels The Dog (longlist, Booker Prize; New York Times notable book) and Netherland (PEN/Faulkner Award; Kerry Fiction Prize; longlist, Booker Prize; New York Times 10 Best Books of 2008). His short stories have been published in New Yorker and Harper's. He writes about politics for the New York Review of Books.

Eric Schwartz is editorial director of Columbia University Press.

This event is organized in partnership with Columbia University Press. It is co-sponsored by the Alliance Program, the Columbia University Club of France, the Maison Française, the Institute for Ideas and Imagination, and Columbia University Libraries.